Deus Dona Nobis Pacem

The dust is being cleared from the wreckage of the World Trade Center towers. It is gradually settling and people are being found, dead and alive. I, like most of the country, am still trying to come to grips with what happened. I'd like to clear my mind of all the hurt, pain and that happened.

But I can't.

Everyone from President Bush to the people next door have been talking about how we are going to punish those who hurt us, going to get revenge for what happened.

But revenge won't bring the friends back that were in the towers when they fell. It won't bring the family back that were on those planes that crashed. It won't even take away the hurt, fear, pain and anger we're experiencing because of this travesty. It might make us feel vindicated for a while — like we did some thing in the honor of those innocent that were killed.

But then, what about the innocent that we would kill in gaining vengeance for our beloved?

Does getting revenge stop the hatred from happening? Does it make things right — is it justice? Does it make us any better than the terrorists if we blindly seek revenge on the people who are like those who attacked the towers and the Pentagon?

I think of Tuesday. I remember waking up and finding my dorm mates frantically trying to find if their friends and family are okay. I remember going to class and hugging my classmate as she watched the television screen. I remember letting people know classes were cancelled for a day of prayer, Mass would be at 3 p.m. on South Quad and they could watch the news from the rooms on the North Wing of DeBartolo. I talked to someone who hadn't heard from her father in New York as we watched the newscast. I remember the Mass, where more than 6,000 students, staff and South Bend locals came together to pray for those who were hurt or dead and offer solace to those who hadn't yet heard from their families.

I think of Tuesday and I see people helping each other rebuild their lives. I see people searching for peace.

We're looking for peace of mind and heart, a peace that would help us rest without nightmares, without terror. Could we rest with that peace knowing we were causing others to suffer?

I'm not happy with what happened in New York and D.C. on Tuesday. I'm appalled at the audacity and blindness of the people who organized and carried out the attack on our way of life. Yet, I'm searching within myself to forgive them. It is hard. I have friends in both places and don't yet know if they're all safe. But my panicking isn't going to find them. My raising Cain isn't going to bring them back from the dead.

On the message board outside my room, I have a quote from Eleanor Roosevelt: "You must do the things you think you cannot do."

I challenge you, Americans and residents of the United States, to find it somewhere in yourselves to forgive the unforgivable. Look past the horror and see a way to peace. Become strong from the love and friendship we share. Hating will not stop hatred, but love will. Be strong and be at peace.

Deus dona nobis pacem – God grant us peace.

• Deus Dona Nobis Pacem